Students 'dream hands' find 'ancient Roman treasures'

Katie Balham, 18, an archeology student from Fleetwood, Lancashire, England found the "treasure" in the ancient Roman area in the village of Ribchester in Ribble, Lancashire valley, water. Brother.

Katie Balham recently took an archaeological course at the University of Central Lancashire for a week before discovering "treasure" including a copper alloy brooch, a 4th century coin and some pieces precious pottery.

One of the most important pieces of pottery, thought to be from the 2nd century, is the image of a bird (possibly an eagle) attacking an animal (possibly a rabbit), an angel and a tree.

University of Central Lancashire students are conducting excavations

Dr Jim Morris, who led the excavation with Dr. Duncan Sayer, said: "We often take students to actual excavations. This is a way to identify who really wants to become a researcher. This time, we went to Ribchester - part of a joint project between the Roman university and the Museum of Ribchester, we and the students unearthed the Roman fort and discovered the central road to the cannon. This is really a valuable experience for first year students ".

Dr. Morris said that Katie's discovery was very meaningful, "It helps us understand more about the layout of the Ribchester Roman fort. There are many excavations that took place here but no research projects. Which is done in the last twenty years ".

Katie said, this discovery made her very happy and she encouraged her to follow the archaeological path. She said: "It was great. It was the second day I participated in the excavation. Some people also found artifacts but I didn't think I was as lucky as they were. I knew I wanted to be a judge. old-fashioned but this finding made me more determined to follow the profession '.

Central Lancashire University will retain the 'treasure' for a while, then they will be handed to the Ribchester Roman Museum.

"Currently, artifacts are located at the university to serve the student training and help them carry out research projects on what we have found. After that, it will be sent to the Museum. Roman Ribchester, " Dr. Morris said.